Bernd & Hilla Becher: History of a Method at Fondazione MAST, Bologna
The exhibition 'Bernd & Hilla Becher. History of a Method' is currently on display at Fondazione MAST in Bologna and will run until September 27, 2026. This showcase highlights the work of the German photographers, who captured industrial and residential architecture across Europe and the U.S. using large-format cameras to develop typologies. Their partnership began in the 1960s, focusing on the half-timbered homes of Siegerland and creating notable 'Typologies' of structures such as water towers and blast furnaces. In 1975, they were the sole European participants in the 'New Topographics' exhibition at the George Eastman House. Curated by Angela Madesani, the exhibition is located at Via Speranza 42, Bologna.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Bernd & Hilla Becher. History of a Method' runs until September 27, 2026 at Fondazione MAST, Bologna.
- Bernd and Hilla Becher are among the most important photographers of the second half of the 20th century.
- They documented industrial and residential buildings across Europe and the United States.
- Their 'Typologies' series began in the 1960s, featuring grids of images of industrial structures.
- In 1975, they were the only Europeans in the 'New Topographics' exhibition at George Eastman House, Rochester.
- Their method involved gradual approach, use of maps, and consistent weather conditions (no full sun).
- The concept of 'svolgimento' (unfolding) meant photographing objects from multiple angles at comparable distances.
- Their classification system was inspired by biological taxonomy, as explained by Hilla Becher.
Entities
Artists
- Bernd Becher
- Hilla Becher
- Ernst Haeckel
- Karl Blossfeldt
- August Sander
- Albert Renger-Patzsch
- Walter Breker
- Walter Eichgrün
- William Jenkins
- Gabriele Basilico
- Massimo Valsecchi
- Angela Madesani
- Max Becher
- Franco Purini
- Jean-François Chevrier
- Paul Scheerbart
Institutions
- Fondazione MAST
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Düsseldorf
- George Eastman House
- Artribune
- Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur
- Museum für Gegenwartskunst Siegen
- Kunststiftung NRW
- Düsseldorf School
Locations
- Bologna
- Italy
- Milan
- Centuripe
- Sicily
- Calatayud
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Düsseldorf
- Germany
- Potsdam
- Siegerland
- Rochester
- New York
- United States
- Benelux
- France
- Wales
- Cologne
- Siegen
- Rostock
- Belgium
- United Kingdom
- Bethlehem
- Pennsylvania
- USA
- Essen-Schönebeck
- Saarland